Newbie to Yanagisawa

[bluesupanddown]

I have been waiting to try the Yamaha Custom Z for about 6 months now and have come to the conclusion that I am going to have to wait another 6. A friend told me to try a Yanagisawa T991. What is the sound comparable to? What finishes are available? I am more of a(n) (attempting) bop player, but I want a sax that can get that modern edge when I need it. Do the Yanagisawa's have that ability?

Mike

[bluesupanddown]

Further, what is Elimona?

[Balders]

I was in a similar "boat" albeit on the Alto front. Was set on getting a yamaha custom, but was looking at a lengthy wait.

I ended up buying a A991B (B means black lacquer which also answers your other question).

I have to say I'm thrilled to bits with it. It's extremely versatile and depending on the mouthpiece/reed setup you go for, it can take on characteristics from warm and fluffy to an absolute screamer.

For big band stuff, I've been using a bari star plastic reed on a V16 MPC with an ED MkII lig. Awesome projection, the kind of sound I've been after for years.

check out www.saxophones.co.uk who have lots of very useful info. It's where I bought my 991 from.

Hope this is of some help.

[SaxHack]

I'm in a similar situation as Balders and ended up with a Yanagisawa alto 902 (bronze). I didn't want to wait for the Yamahas, although I'd played the 82z and 62-II a couple of months ago at a convention.

My local store had an old model Yamaha 62 and the Yanagisawa I bought. I really liked the keywork on the Yanagisawa much better...seemed faster and felt more solid. In playing passages that took my technique to the limits, I consistently made fewer mistakes on the Yanagisawa.

The Yanagisawa gives me enough variety in sound, responds fine to different set-ups, and is noticeably easier to play in tune. And the bronze does seem to add a nice warmth to the sound (slight).

I really wanted to play the Yamahas (and could have through mail-order) but decided I like the 902, it's here, and the store gave me a good price - so why not?

I've been shopping for several months and tried a number of horns. I can't imagine anyone being disappointed in a Yanagisawa. Notice how few used ones show up on eBay!

[Greyduster]

Although I'm not very experienced, I was in a position to buy a decent horn recently. I had trie a Yani a couple of years ago and so my decision was between the Yamaha 62 and the T901 and the T991.

She brought the T991 first and I played for a while before she turned up with the Yamaha and the T901.

It was a closeish choice between the 991 and the 62 ( by comparisaon I really didn't like the sound of the 901)

In the end I bought the 991 even though it was appreciably more expensive. What swung it for me was the overall tone, the projection, the ease of playing through the registers, it's ability to stay in tune and the excellent keywork. I have fairly small hands and it suits me very well. It feels a really robust horn when you have it in your hands.

There is just one thing I would say. In addition to having perhaps slightly smaller hands than the average person I do have short little fingers. This can make bottom c and anything below it a bit awkward to get easily, I have to work at. The Yani doesn't make this any easier than any other makes I've tried but it's certainly no worse. I was wondering if anyone else has that problem or whether I'm just a mutant.

[dpwadw]

Bought two yanas (S-902 and A-991) now sight unseen. Both excellent in feel, agility and tuning. Played a number of other horns, some similar...none better.

Their reputation for being well-adjusted from the factory caught my attention. I wasn't disappointed.

As for "Elimona"...it is the original name given to the top-line yanas. The name has stuck, and although the company doesn't say it anymore the 991 series is still known by the term.

[john]

I'm lucky to have 10 tenors and a very understanding wife. My hands down favorite is my T991. Sound, feel, and ease none of the others compare. (For the record the others are: 1972 Superdyn, early 1950's Conn 10M and 16M, Selmer 240K M7, SX90, straight SX90R, Couesnon Monopole, Buescher Top Hat & Cane, and the T991.)

keep honkin'

john